Oita University

About: Oita University is a education organization based out in Ōita, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Helicobacter pylori & Cancer. The organization has 4566 authors who have published 8666 publications receiving 142963 citations. The organization is also known as: Ōita daigaku.

Two-step oblique incision during 25-gauge vitrectomy reduces incidence of postoperative hypotony.

Abstract: The efficacy of a two-step, oblique incision procedure during 25-gauge vitrectomy on postoperative hypotony was evaluated by a retrospective, case-control study. The transconjunctival incision during 25-gauge vitrectomy was made in two steps: penetration with a microvitreoretinal blade followed by a penetrater instrument of a blunt trocar. The two-step procedure was performed on 89 eyes and with the conventional incision on 68 eyes. The incidence of hypotony (intraocular pressure <6 mmHg) on the first postoperative day and after 1 week and 1 month was compared. Hypotony was found in two eyes (2%) with the two-step method and 12 eyes (18%) with the conventional incision on the first postoperative day (P = 0.001, Fisher's exact probability test). The preoperative intraocular pressure was not significantly different in the two groups but was significantly higher in the two-step group than in the conventional method group on the first postoperative day (P = 0.001, Wilcoxon rank test). Twenty-five-gauge vitrectomy with two-step oblique incisions will reduce the incidence of postoperative hypotony on the first postoperative day.

Dynamic Behavior of Rh Species in Rh/Al2O3 Model Catalyst during Three-Way Catalytic Reaction: An Operando X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study

Abstract: The dynamic behavior of Rh species in 1 wt% Rh/Al2O3 catalyst during the three-way catalytic reaction was examined using a micro gas chromatograph, a NOx meter, a quadrupole mass spectrometer, and time-resolved quick X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements at a public beamline for XAS, BL01B1 at SPring-8, operando. The combined data suggest different surface rearrangement behavior, random reduction processes, and autocatalytic oxidation processes of Rh species when the gas is switched from a reductive to an oxidative atmosphere and vice versa. This study demonstrates an implementation of a powerful operando XAS system for heterogeneous catalytic reactions and its importance for understanding the dynamic behavior of active metal species of catalysts.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent activation of akt, an essential signal for hyperthermia-induced heat-shock protein 72, is attenuated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic heart.

Abstract: We tested the hypothesis that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase)-dependent activation of Akt is essential for the expression of cardiac heat-shock protein 72 (HSP72) and that this pathway is impaired in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic heart. STZ-induced male diabetic rats were treated with insulin (STZ-insulin group, n = 26) or vehicle (STZ-vehicle group, n = 61) for 3 weeks. Whole-body hyperthermia (43°C for 20 min) was applied, and the heart was isolated 24 h later. Compared with control heart, hyperthermia-induced HSP72 expression and phosphorylation of Akt were attenuated in the STZ-vehicle heart. Pretreatment with wortmannin attenuated hyperthermia-induced HSP72 expression and phosphorylation of Akt. In isolated perfused heart experiments, the hyperthermia-treated STZ-vehicle heart showed poor left ventricular functional recovery during reperfusion after no-flow global ischemia compared with hyperthermia-treated control heart. Insulin treatment restored HSP72 expression and reperfusion-induced functional recovery. In cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, hyperthermia-induced HSP72 expression was enhanced by insulin, together with tolerance against hypoxia-reoxygenation injury. Wortmannin and LY294002 inhibited hyperthermia-induced HSP72 expression and phosphorylation of Akt. Our results indicate that activation of Akt, in a PI 3-kinase–dependent manner, is essential for hyperthermia-induced HSP72 expression in association with cardioprotection, suggesting impairment of this signaling pathway in the STZ-induced diabetic heart, probably due to insulin deficiency.

High dose antithrombin III inhibits HMGB1 and improves endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in rats

Abstract: High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is an important factor in the development of sepsis. Previous work suggests that antithrombin III (ATIII) inhibits inflammation, but the mechanism of action is still poorly understood. Prospective controlled animal study in a university laboratory. Rats were randomly divided into a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis control group and an ATIII-treated experimental group. Animals in the experimental group received a bolus of 250 units/kg of ATIII injected into the tail vein. Animals receiving high-dose ATIII (250 units/kg) had significantly improved lung histopathology and survival compared to the control rats. We measured serum and lung levels of various cytokines and HMGB1 at regular intervals from 0 to 12 h after the induction of sepsis and demonstrated lower HMGB1 levels over time in ATIII-treated animals. In an in vitro experiment, we stimulated the mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 with LPS in the presence or absence of ATIII. Subsequent measurement of HMGB1 concentrations in the supernatant and cell signaling molecules in cell lysates revealed an ATIII dose-dependent decrease in HMGB1 release. Furthermore, inhibition of IkB and p42 phosphorylation was observed with the administration of ATIII, suggestive of downstream signaling pathways. High-dose ATIII decreases lung pathology and reduces mortality in a rat sepsis model. This finding may be mediated by the inhibition of HMGB1.

Synthesis of glycosides of resveratrol, pterostilbene, and piceatannol, and their anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, and neuroprotective activities.

Abstract: Resveratrol was glucosylated to its 3- and 4′-β-glucosides by cultured cells of Phytolacca americana. On the other hand, cultured P. americana cells glucosylated pterostilbene to its 4′-β-glucoside. P. americana cells converted piceatannol into its 4′-β-glucoside. The 3- and 4′-β-glucosides of resveratrol were further glucosylated to 3- and 4′-β-maltosides of resveratrol, 4′-β-maltoside of which is a new compound, by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase. Resveratrol 3-β-glucoside and 3-β-maltoside showed low 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free-radical-scavenging activity, whereas other glucosides had no radical-scavenging activity. Piceatannol 4′-β-glucoside showed the strongest inhibitory activity among the stilbene glycosides towards histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. Pterostilbene 4′-β-glucoside showed high phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity.